Cristiano Ronaldo’s Decisive Goal Propels Portugal Past Germany
Sometimes, high-stakes football comes down to a single moment—especially when Cristiano Ronaldo is wearing the Portugal shirt. In a fiercely competitive UEFA Nations League semifinal at Munich's Allianz Arena, he delivered yet again. Portugal edged past Germany 2-1, thanks to Ronaldo's late goal, sending the reigning champions to their first final since lifting the trophy in 2019.
Germany came into the game buzzing, riding a 17-match unbeaten wave that stretched back to 2023. The hosts looked sharp from the whistle, with Florian Wirtz—recently hailed as one of Europe's most exciting young players—creating early chances. Yet, for all their possession and energy, Germany struggled to crack Portugal’s sturdy defense.
Portugal’s path to the semifinal hadn’t been smooth. Their form was a jumble—holding only three wins from their last six. Just getting past Denmark required a nail-biting 5-3 aggregate victory. Still, under coach Roberto Martínez, the squad managed to rally around their talisman up front. You could sense the extra confidence every time the ball went near Ronaldo.
Germany Falters in the Second Half
With home support and pre-match odds tagging Germany as favorites, most expected the hosts to set the tempo. The first half played out with fast pressing and quick passing, and Germany found the net early, sparking hopes for their first Nations League final. But Portugal refused to wilt under pressure.
After halftime, the momentum shifted. Portugal started carving out more meaningful chances. Their attacks were no longer just hopeful—they were threatening. Wirtz continued to probe, nearly setting up a second for Germany, but Portugal's defense held firm.
With just minutes left and the score level, Ronaldo made his mark. A perfectly timed run, a calm finish—suddenly, the Allianz Arena’s mood flipped. German coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has been pushing his young squad to reach their first big final since the 2024 Euros, looked on in disbelief as the Portuguese bench erupted. The experience and grit of tournament veterans like Ronaldo simply proved the difference.
Roberto Martínez was quick to praise his side’s resilience, connecting Portugal’s showing here to bigger ambitions on the horizon—especially with the World Cup looming. The night belonged to Portugal, but both sides showed the tactical battles and tight margins that define international tournaments.
The loss hit Germany, knocking them sideways after months of positive results, and left Nagelsmann with defensive issues to fix before the summer’s end. Portugal, now dreaming of another UEFA Nations League title, will meet either Spain or France in the final on June 8. For the defeated, there's still a third-place playoff—but for Ronaldo and his teammates, another shot at silverware is just days away.